I did a cost comparison and compared to a gas-hybrid at 40 mpg; you'd save about $4.60 per 100 miles at 11¢ / KW for charging. So a 100K miles, you'd save $4600+ [gas at $3.10 /gallon] . That's hardly enough to justify even a $52,000 price tag. and even counting the $7500 tax deduction, a $44,000 price tag. Compared to a STD car that gets 25 mpg, you'd save about $9200 / 100K miles. That's better !!

That Said, if they produce many - the cost will drop so it's a move in the right direction, but give it 2-3 more years !! (IMHO) If the out of pocket cost was $30-33 K after rebate- it'd be very competitive. Remember NO Oil changes and NO engine tuneups --- that's gotta save plenty too. (c.$1000 / 100K miles) [ 20-25 oil changes at $30 each and a $400 tuneup.]The reason I asked about batteries is that the Prius batteries last about 8-10 years and cost $3000-4000 to replace. Like the rechargeables in your flashlight - they don't last forever ! That has to be factored in if you keep it >8 years or ~ 100K miles.

IMO- they still need some price reductions. But the car IS very impressive !!!

MrB- 12 years ago we elected Bush & in 2008 the economy got whacked... we been Bush-whacked !

Sold our 2004 Prius after 4 wonderful years and it is still going strong. Bought a 2008 Camry Hybrid and drive from Vancouver to Palm Springs for under $200.This is an unpaid commercial for hybrid cars.

I have a friend who has a 5 or so year old Prius. She's not let e drive it but in riding in it, I say it does rather well, getting around

And a big plus for me is that for me, a big person, it's the easiest car getting into I've ever sat in. Bar none. But will also say that iv not ridden in any modern cars so this might be said for many newer ones. But it has little lip getting my feet over and doesn't have that knee knocker getting in.

But, though it hasn't given her much trouble recently there have been a few ties where it has slipped out of gear when starting cold. She checked ths out on the web to find that the part to fix it cost over $700. Ouch

Dave

_________________________
There are 10 kinds of people.Those that understand binary and those that don't.

The average power price is about 11 cents per Kw hour - I have to check again ? but Tesla rates is 1 Kw hour at 11 cents gives you 30 miles or $3.30 for every 300 miles . Still a hefty savings. For me given my driving to work and home on a full charge = I would only need to charge the Tesla once every 5th day <- oddly thats the same time span I fill gas in my car 20.00 dollars each time. So 20.00 - 3.30 = 16.70 in savings every week.

Consider to that if you have solar electric at home , then the power is free. Even better.

What more compelling to me is the Tesla lack of moving parts . More so since I recently replace the Passat starter for 750.00 cash, replace wheel bearing 1 only for 400.00 . Next month I am having the exhaust leak looked at what cost ????

When you look at the most common parts that need replacing . Starters, water pumps, radiator, alternators, exhaust systems, hoses, oils and filters, I am sure I missed few. The Tesla has none of those.

Thats correct MrB.Even this Tesla owner said that he will never break even given the cost of the car - however he does start saving the second he drives the car.

Much like Solar the investment is all up front - however and like the car the more you use it the faster it pays it self off. So if you are able to max out your solar and combine that with a all electric car, the break even point will come much much sooner.

Both my sons drive Priuses and I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid... John gets about 50 mpg and does NOT alter his driving habits, Nathan get about 60 mpg and does (slow acceleration, coasts a lot, etc), and I get around 40 mpg and have to baby the sh-t outta mine.. Toyota is the king of hybrids right now. I wanted a Prius but my niece talked me into a Honda (rated 50**, but doesn't come close).

So if you really want mileage and are buying a hybrid for it, go Toyota !!

**Honda was later sued over this in a class action suit. BTW Honda had to replace my batteries after 35K - cost them $3,000, me nada !! But it says to me they aren't Toyota when it comes to hybrids !! Prius has been around since the early 1990s (in Japan) and introduced in USA after 2000 sometime. Long track record....

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